Hey everyone! We often think of yoga as the physical practice – the poses, the stretching, the breathwork. But there’s a beautiful, often overlooked, layer beneath the surface: philosophy. Think of it like the rich soil that nourishes the plant of your physical practice. Without it, your asanas might be pretty, but they won’t fully bloom.
So, what does yoga philosophy actually mean? Simply put, it’s the study of how to live a good life. It explores questions like: What is our purpose? How do we find happiness? How do we relate to others and the world around us?
The Yoga Sutras, a foundational text, offers a roadmap for navigating these questions. It describes eight “limbs” of yoga, and only one of them is the asanas we typically associate with yoga. The other seven include things like ethical guidelines (yama and niyama), breath control (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana).
Think of it like this: your yoga mat is a miniature version of your life. How you approach a challenging pose mirrors how you might approach a difficult situation off the mat. Are you patient? Kind to yourself? Or do you push too hard and get frustrated? Yoga philosophy encourages us to observe these patterns and make conscious choices about how we want to live.
Ready to dip your toes into the philosophical side? Here’s a simple practice for today: Before you start your next yoga session, set an intention. But instead of just thinking about nailing a specific pose, focus on a quality you want to cultivate in your life. Maybe it’s kindness, patience, or gratitude. As you move through your practice, gently remind yourself of this intention.
Yoga philosophy isn’t about memorizing Sanskrit terms or becoming a spiritual guru. It’s about bringing awareness to your thoughts, actions, and interactions, and living a more meaningful and authentic life. It’s a journey of self-discovery, and it all starts right here, on your mat. Take a deep breath, and enjoy the exploration.